Our past

Psalm 103:12 says "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

This Wednesday, we are praying about our past. Many of us feel guilt, remorse, regret about things that we did before we were saved (or perhaps even after we were saved). And Satan uses that guilt to make us think that we are still that same person… "How could God or anyone else love you? Look what you did." But the truth is that the blood of Christ has covered our past. He remembers our sins no more (see Isaiah 43:25).

Now there may be people out there who were hurt by your past actions. People who don't seem to care about your "new creation" talk. People who will eventually surface. People who blame their misery on you and want to see you 'pay' for it. Satan can use them to bring you down or you can rely on God to lift them up. Someone who knows who you were should be uniquely positioned to recognize the authentic work Christ has done in you. They may not forgive you but they will know something is different.

Recall the incident where Christ raises Lazarus from the dead. As Lazarus walks out of the tomb, Jesus says "Take off the grave clothes…". When you and I were raised from the dead through the saving grace of Christ, we became new creations. Even though our old grave clothes may have left some ugly scars, we need to take them off and leave them behind...

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob